OCD — What Exactly Is It?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, better known as OCD, is a type of mental health condition that often gets thrown around when people have repetitive habits or quirky behaviors. While it’s usually laughed off, either by others or the person who has the habits themself, it can have a significant impact on quality of life. Here’s a look at OCD, what it is and how it can be treated.

What Is OCD?

OCD is often characterized by two main components. There are obsessions and compulsions.

Obsessions

Obsessions are unwanted and intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that can be a strong source of distress. Despite your best efforts, you’re unable to ignore them.

Common obsessions often include fear of germs, needing symmetry or order, unwanted aggression, feelings of danger or harm coming, and fear of losing control.

Compulsions

Compulsions, on the other hand, are repetitive behaviors or acts that need to be completed in response to obsessive thoughts. These thoughts and behaviors are meant to reduce anxiety or ward off fear of the perceived situation, but add complications to quality of life. In reality, these compulsions aren’t fully connected to the outcome that is feared.

Common compulsions include excessive hand washing, checking and rechecking (like locks, doors, plugs), counting, and arranging items in a particular order.

When you have OCD, you typically will have obsessions that cause anxiety to flare up. Performing certain compulsions allows you to temporarily reduce your anxiety. Then the next obsession starts and you start the cycle all over.

Obtaining a Diagnosis

OCD generally starts sometime between childhood and early adulthood. Roughy two to three percent of the population is affected by OCD. No genders, ages, races, or backgrounds are immune to developing OCD.

A diagnosis for OCD needs to come from a professional and is usually based on having strong obsessions, compulsions, or both that are negatively impacting day to day functioning. An assessment with standardized questions is the basis for obtaining the correct diagnosis.

Treatment Approaches for OCD

While OCD can be somewhat bothersome to your status quo, it is actually very treatable with good outcomes. Many people who seek treatment and utilize proper interventions are able to regain quality of life.

Exposure and Response Prevention

The most effective means for treating OCD is through cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT for short. Under this umbrella is something called exposure and response prevention (ERP).

This treatment method involves a gradual exposure to a feared situation while refraining from completing the desired compulsion. As you successfully complete the exercise, anxiety will naturally decrease. The compulsions aren’t necessary to reduce obsession-related anxiety.

Medication Options

When natural treatment isn’t as effective as you’d like, there are medication options available. Certain SSRIs are typically the first line of defense. While these are common for depression, in higher doses, they can also work to manage OCD.

Many people opt to combine therapy with medication to achieve a healthy balance and the best results possible.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

Mindfulness practices can help you become more grounded and find calm within your stress. Finding a clear headspace can help you reach a point of self-reflection and acceptance of your symptoms.

When you’re able to accept your obsessive thoughts without being overly reactive to them, you can better control the urge for the compulsions.

Support Groups

Support groups are a great way to connect with others who are sharing the same experiences and struggles that you are. Not only can it be a helpful resource for treatment and interventions, but it can also give you the reassurance that you’re not alone.

Seeking Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with what appears to be OCD, help is available. You don’t need to continuously take hits to your quality of life. Through therapeutic intervention, you can work to alleviate the negative symptoms and their hold on your life.

Schedule an appointment with us for anxiety therapy today to start navigating this journey together.